“When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable, But he who restrains his lips is wise.” ~ Proverbs 10:19

“The words of the wise heard in quiet are better than the shouting of a ruler among fools.” ~ Ecclesiastes 9:17

Something I struggle with is “unplugging” in the evening.  I know I’ve talked about this before, but it seems to be an ongoing point of contention in my life.  Too often, at the end of the day, my only thought is to drop into a chair and watch tv or surf the internet (or do both).

This being said, I have an app on my phone that is used to set daily or weekly goals, all of which are health related.  They range from drinking enough water to – yup, you guessed it – limiting screen time.  I decided to utilize this particular goal for the weeks to come, as it challenges me to unplug for at least two nights a week (and don’t worry, the irony of using technology to inspire me to limit my technology use has not escaped my attention).

Last night was one of my tv and internet-free nights.  And I got a ton of things done, which was nice.  But perhaps the best thing was that I finally had the opportunity to start reading a book I’d bought weeks ago.

The book is entitled “Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking.”  I’ve been looking forward to reading it because I’m an introvert.  Most people are surprised when they find this out, because I’m a talkative person, even a drama teacher.  But when it comes down to it, I end up on the introverted end of the spectrum every single time I take a Myers-Briggs test.  The majority of my friends are extroverts, so for me, reading this is book gives me the feeling of, “Aha! My people!”

What really struck me is the author’s discussion of our society’s movement from what she terms a Culture of Character to a Culture of Personality.  Before the twentieth century, our country valued character above all else.  Hard work and virtue were extolled, and humility was something to be prized.  But as the products of the industrial revolution started modernizing America, being able to sell yourself suddenly became paramount.  We moved away from valuing ethics and effort, and started putting the focus on presentation and personality.  As a result, our society today values the person who talks the most, not necessarily the person who has the best idea.

However interesting all this research is, you can tell this is something that has plagued mankind for centuries.  Just look at the sentiments that are expressed in Proverbs and Ecclesiastes – the Bible repeatedly warns us against talking too much and listening too little.  In our world today, being slow to speak is not only counterintuitive, in many situations it can seem counterproductive.  The person in class who speaks up is viewed as the smartest, and often the person who speaks up at work is seen as a leader and promoted.  But always rushing to have something to say can result in hurtful words or, as today’s verse in Proverbs says, endless talking inevitably leads to sin.

So whether you’re an introvert or an extrovert, don’t buy into the idea that you always have to have something to say.  Take your time and think it over.  Our culture may not value the silence that comes with reflective wisdom, but God sure does.

“Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.” ~ Proverbs 4:7

First, a confession: I stole the title of today’s post.

I read it in an NPR article, and I thought it was very fitting for what I wanted to write about.

The idea that we are dominated by the “tyranny of meh” really hit home with what I was thinking about today.  We are a society that not only wants things now; we want them to be amazing – epic, even.  If someone or something doesn’t live up to our (often) impossible standards, we drop them or it like a hot potato, searching for the next thing that will slake our thirst for the incredible.

But what happens when things in life – or people in life – are just average?  When every minute of every day isn’t fireworks and exclamation points?  Then what?  It goes along with what I was writing about yesterday, how the pressure to value every second can be draining and damaging.

Seeking the astonishing is exhilarating – it can be an adrenaline rush in a lot of ways.  But like all things that require a rush, the seeker must always been seeking a bigger thrill.  Thus things that were once considered mind-blowing, will now be considered “meh.”  And in the end, you are chasing after the wind, as Solomon said in Ecclesiastes.

Don’t be swept up by this tyrannical ruler – instead, do what the Proverbs instruct us to.  Pursue wisdom, at any cost.  It may not be as exciting, but I have a feeling there is a reason God told us that no price is too great for wisdom.

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
         
So are My ways higher than your ways
         
And My thoughts than your thoughts.” ~ Jeremiah 55:8-9

I believe that us modern-day folk are victims of too much information.  We live in a world where “googling” has become a verb – use it in a sentence and people will know what you mean.  At any given moment in time, we have, through the miracle of the internet, access to more information than is imaginable.

But with all that information doesn’t necessarily come wisdom.  My computer may spell-check words for me, but if I don’t spend some time studying the English language, my own spelling won’t improve.  In some ways, having so much knowledge at our fingertips leads us to believe that kids are ready for more than they really are.  Your four-year-old may be able to turn on the TV and the Wii without any help, but you still need to teach her how to tie her shoes.  And your high school student may be able to get around the firewalls you’ve set in place on your computer, but you still need to teach him how to act with integrity and honor.

I think it’s amazing to have access to so much information at a given moment, but unless you have the wisdom to handle that information carefully, it can be very destructive.  When I first discovered I was pregnant, I started reading all of these medical articles detailing the zillions of things that can go wrong during pregnancy.  Well, about five days of that and my husband told me, “No more googling for you.”  It was the best thing he could have said to me – I stopped looking for information and stopping panicking and started praying instead.  And as a result, I was somewhat (I can’t say one is ever really prepared for sudden tragedy) better prepared for what lay ahead in my future.

Always remember, having information and knowledge isn’t the same as having wisdom.  Wisdom comes from the Lord and is infinitely more valuable than knowledge.  It is only with wisdom can knowledge be applied in productive ways.  Let the Lord guide you – His wisdom is best of all.